Breakfast and the important role it plays in our children’s lives

It is the first meal of the day and its absence is reflected in our morning, but not only, energy levels. If breakfast is merely important for adults’ calorie burning, it is an absolute necessity for our children’s lives – and this is something of which Horio is well aware. This is why Horio shares with all of us the best ways to help make breakfast an integral part of our daily diet.

It occupies a special place in the science of nutrition, as well as, in our minds: a proper breakfast and that with which it supplies us, is so important, that we are driven to want to systematically integrate them in our daily routines, as well as, that of our children. In a period where time, for a parent, is a luxury, a child’s breakfast may end up being something boring, something that perhaps an adult would eat – with the only difference being that instead of coffee, our angel only drinks a glass of whole milk. Knowing the importance of a proper breakfast for a child, Horio speaks to us about the reasons for which only a glass of whole milk is not enough for our chidren’s health.

The 6 benefits of a proper breakfast for children

The essential gift that a proper breakfast gives a child’s life can be condensed into one word, energy: it provides the energy your child needs in order to optimally respond to every day’s demands – a conclusion that has been supported by a plethora of scientific studies examining what a balanced breakfast offers a child.

The 6 top benefits of a proper breakfast for chidren are:

• It protects the dental hygiene for children between the ages of 2 and 5, ages at which the appearance of dental caries (cavities) rapidly increase
• Improves memory, concentration and their mental alertness
• Strengthens their organisms as it is a source of elements such as, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, zinc etc
• Contributes to the effective management of complicated information that they receive
• Helps them respond better to exams where they must focus on solving problems
• Protects them from obesity and the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes etc

6 alternative suggestions for a proper breakfast for your children

Following the benefits comes what makes a breakfast for minors good – in other words, what should it contain. Our nutritionist, Mr. Harris Georgakakis, gives us 6 alternative breakfast suggestions that offer our children the energy they need:

• 1 glass of milk with a good amount of cereal and one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice
• yogurt with a good amount of cereal, one sliced fruit and 2-3 teaspoons of honey, mixed together
• 1 glass of various fruits beated in a blender and two slices of whole wheat bread with honey
• 1 slice of whole wheat toast bread, 1 slice of cheese, 1 slice of turkey and a glass of fresh juice
• 1 small wrap with cheese and turkey and a glass of milk
• 1 glass of milk, one piece of cake and 1 glass of fresh juice

3 smart ways to make child’s breakfast more appealing

Regardless of all the good that they brings to their lives, children often feel the need to differentiate themselves from the “old” people. Often this results in their stubbornness and reaction against anything that comes out of parental lips. So, if “breakfast time” sometimes falls victim to this reaction, here are three ways that we can make breakfast irresistible to them:

• integrate in their breakfast leftover food from yesterday’s dinner, such as, a piece of home made cheese pie, spinach pie or even home made pizza – always in moderation and combined with one freshly squeezed orange juice or a variety of fruit
• give our child the freedom, once a week, to pick one treat that he or she desires, for example, 1 croissant or 2-3 chocolate cookies, and combine with a glass of milk: anything treated as restricted usually have negative results
• give breakfast a ceremonial dimension that will help children connect that moment with your presence and other positive emotions – it will help them think of breakfast as their own choice, and not something that they must do “for their own good.”